Sound-absorbing and heat-resisting wall construction



Aug. 14, 1962 1.1. CLAUDE 3,049,067

soUND-ABsoRBING AND HEAT-RESISTING WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 14, 1958:s sheets-sheet 1 f Vm- J. L. CLAUDE 3,049,067

SOUND-ABSORBING AND HEAT-RESISTING WALL CONSTRUCTION Aug. 14, 1962 l 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 14, 1958 www@ Aug. 14, 1962 1. L. CLAUDE3,049,067

SOUND-ABSORBING AND HEAT-RESISTING WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 14. 19583 Sheets-Sheet 3 3,049,067 SOUND-ABSORBING AND HEAT-RESISTENG WALLCONSTRUCTIN Janine Lysiane Claude, 129 Rue Lecourbe, Paris, France FiledNov. 14, 1958, Ser. No. 773,940 6 Claims. (Ci. 98--31) This inventionrelates to an improved wall construction designed for controllingtemperature and sound: The walls utilized in this construction consistof multiple parallel surfaces so arranged as to permit the directformation of two separate air circulation circuits between some of thesesurfaces, the first circuit nearer to the outer sur- `face consistingpreferably of air taken from a zone protected against temperaturechanges, the other circuit being very close to the innermost wall of theconstruction and consisting of conditioned air, preferably one fractionof .the air utilized in the first circuit after correcting itstemperature and if desired its moisture content.

The lower floor, the vertical walls and the roofing are preferablyarranged according to the principle broadly set forth in the precedingparagraph, lbut in certain cases the invention may be applied only tothe construction of vertical walls and partitions.

According to a first and recommended form of embodiment a commercial,industrial or residential building is constructed which comprises twoperipheral spaces highly insulated from each other from the dual pointof view of beat and sound, an air circulation at a suitable meantemperature between the outer space and the inner space being producedto keep the inner space in a constantly temperate atmosphere; underthese conditions, the airconditioning of the building is madeconsiderably easier and more economical.

This object as well as a satisfactory insulation between the two spacesmay be obtained provided that no connection'exists between these spaceswhich consists of highly heat-conducting elements such as massive metalor concrete elements, which actually amounts to the suppression of anyconventional metal or concrete framework likely to constitute a directconnection between the two spaces, and to the use as means forinterconnecting the inner and outer spaces only members of suchcharacter, shape and section that -the maximum resistance to thetransmission of heat and sound is obtained.

To this end, the form of construction selected according to thisinvention with a View to eliminating the conventional frameworks isbased on the use of self-contained or unitary blocks of relativelyreduced weight and overall dimensions so that their transport andhandling are facilitated considerably, the assembly Work beingparticularly easy, fast and adapted to be performed even by unskilledhands, and in addition each block can be disassembled Very rapidly-without interfering with any of the adjacent blocks, each blockcomprising two spaces separated by heat and sound resisting elements;nally, two independent air circulations are formed through these spaces.

These blocks consist of properly selected elements whereby each of themhas a Well-defined function for which it offers the characteristics mostconsistent with the purpose contemplated.

Besides, in addition to the inherent mechanical or insulating propertieswhich must be found in these elements, the latter must be capable ofmeeting specific conditions on which their selection is at least partlybased (resistance to certain climatic conditions and atmospheres,

vflre-proofness, considerations lof appearance, cost, weight,

from the invention, it is possible to construct structures meeting themost diversified requirements.

These elements are subsequently yassembled to constitute a block byusing methods whereby all their inherent properties and therefore theirefficiency can be preserved in the nal construction.

In order to alord a clearer understanding of this invention and of themanner in which the same may be carried out in practice, reference ywillnow be made to the attached drawings forming part of this specificationand illustrating diagrammatically by way of example a few forms ofembodiment of the invention. In the drawmgs:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary vertical section showing a one-story buildingconstruction made in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a similar view of a detail.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a separate block.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing the frame structure of a blockaccording to the invention and the manner in which .this frame isrigidly secured to identical frames in the construction of a wallaccording to this invention.

ln the construction illustrated in FIG. 1, the foundations 1 constitutean air tank into which opens a duct 2 feeding air at a temperatureconstantly approximating 50 F. in all seasons. This air may be extractedeither 'from a well sunk in a porous ground or from a cellar or anunderground gallery or like Ventilating course, or

simply from a low-cost heat exchanger operating for example by causingair to circulate along a coil in which water yfrom a well or from thetown supply system is circulated, provided that the latter deliverswater at a suitable temperature.

The air shaft (which may also consist, if desired, of one portion of thewater-supply well) may extend directly through the foundations.

The floor comprises two superposed horizontal portions. The lowerportion 3 is carried by columns 4 sunk in the foundations and the upperportion '7 rests on these columns through the medium of supports 6consisting of conventional devices having a certain resiliency andadapted notably to reduce the transmission of noise and vibration, andto prevent the exchange of heat `between the two lioor portions.

rlhe lower door portion 3 is connected to the intermediate partition 5of the walls of the construction, and the upper door portion 7 isconnected to the inner partition 8 of the walls.

Air at a temperature of about 50 as supplied from the duct 2 is thusinduced either by natural draft or by means of a fan 9 disposed at thetop of the construction yfirstly through the free space left Abetweenthe foundations and the lower portions 3 of the door, then along thevertical duct 10 formed internally of the wall, and finally along theroof duct 11, said ducts consisting of the hcllow or free passage formedbetween the intermediate partition 5 and the outer partition 58, and ofthe corresponding passage formed between the horizontal partitions 59and 60, the latter being furthermore formed with an aperture 61. Asalready stated, the roofing may be constructed from the same blocks asthe walls in order to provide on the one hand an outer duct 11 connectedto the outer vertical duct 10 of the walls, and on the other hand aninner circulation duct 13 between the horizontal partitions 59 and 62connected to the inner vertical duct 14 of between the intermediate andinner partitions 5 and 8, and a circulation 19 between the floorpartitions 7 and 3.

The circulation of conditioning air in the inner vertical duct 14 may`be either natural or forced. In this last case the fan 15 provides apressure circulation. This air (taken preferably from theconstant-temperature air supply) is conditioned by using conventionalmeans such as a device 16 comprising on the one hand a cooling charnber17 and on the other hand a reheater 18, this device being controlledautomatically by control and servo means also of any known andconventional type.

The conditioned air circulates through the space 19 between the lowervfloor portion and the upper floor portion, then in the inner space 14of the walls and in the space 113 of the ceiling from which it nallypenetrates into the rooms 21 through apertures provided to this end inthe ceiling or in the upper portion of the inner partition of walls 8.

Used air is exhausted through suction fans 20 located at the lowerportion of the room 21 as shown in FIG. 2, in blocks 22 isolated fromthe adjacent blocks by airtight panels 23.

As the two separate air streams thus established for assisting inmaintaining in the rooms a very comfortable atmosphere under rationaland economical conditions are distributed very uniformly throughout thesurfaces of the Walls and partitions, and as an easy access is permittedto the corresponding circuits at any point thereof, these circuits maybe equipped if desired with means for controlling and if desiredcorrecting the characteristics of the air circulated therein.

Of course, the form of construction described hereinabove constitutes amere example of the manner in which the invention may be carried out andshows the essential features thereof; thus, many modifications andalterations may be brought thereto without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

According to a first modification, the air circulation taking place-vertically in the preceding example may he effected horizontally, thepassage from one row of blocks to the next upper row of blocks takingplace at one end of the row.

According to another modification, the roofing may be designed accordingto any conventional and known construction, provided that an insulatinglining is applied directly under the outer partition and that an emptyspace is provided between this outer partition and the ceiling to permitthe circulation of constant-temperature insulating air.

vIn this case, the conditioning air would penetrate into the rooms onlyat the upper portions of the walls.

To permit this construction, the blocks used therefor and illustrated byway of example only in FIG. 3 cornpr1se:

(l) A rigid frame 24 for example of the type illustrated in FIG. 4 whichmay be of metal, plastic or any other `suitable material, the functionof this frame consisting in imparting the necessary rigidity andstrength to the construction. These frames are assembled with oneanother by any suitable mechanical means such as spot welding, riveting,bolting, screwing, or by using eyelets yor the like (but excluding anypermanent binding such as resins, hydraulic binders or the like) so thatthe blocks may easily be `disassembled when necessary. In the form ofembodiment shown in FIG. 4, each frame 24 has substantially the shape ofa rectangular prism the twelve edges of which are materialized by anglesections, whereof four sections 45 are spaced longitudinally to thepanel, four sections 46 are spaced vertically to `the panel and the fourlast ones 47 are spaced transversely to the panel. As shown, the anglesections 45, t46 are cut to form l5-degree bevels matching together toform the two major rectangular faces of the panel which are to face theinner and outer walls respectively of the block to be formed by thisstructure in combination with, and by rigid fixation to, fthe otherelements to be described hereafter. Each angle of each of these tworectangular faces is stiffened by -a gusset 48 secured by electricwelding spots 49. The other four angle sections 47 have their ends cutat right angles and act as distancepieces between Ithese two mainrectangular faces by engaging the angles of these rectangular faces withtheir ends. The `assembly is subsequently stiffened -by electric weldingspots 50 securing the flanges of angle sections 47 to the flanges ofangle sections 45 and 46. The horizontal flanges of angle sections '45and the flanges of angle sections 46 welded on sections 47 areperforated to permit the fixation by means of bolts 51 of a frame 24a orby means `of bolts 57 of a frame 24b either laterally of, or above `thefirst frame 24. This frame 24 is also provided with holes 53, 54 formedthrough the flanges of angle sections 45 and 46 respectively whichconstitute the major faces of the frame. These holes permit the fixationon these faces, by means of bolts, screws or any other suitable members,of the other elements described hereafter and adapted to constitute, bymounting 011 this frame, the construction block according to theinvention.

(2) A panel 25 constituting the outer face of the block. Preferably,this panel is of moderate thickness and may consist of metal, plastic,bre and cement agglomerate, and even wood, ceramic or any other suitablematerial, its function consisting in forming a weather-resisting,sealing surface of pleasant appearance.

(3) A rigid panel 26 consisting for example of a flat sheet of materialsuch as plywood, wooden fibre agglomerate, libro-cement, thermosettingplastic, etc.

This outer panel 25 is secured on the panel 26 through any suitable andconventional method, such as gluing, riveting, etc. I;

Finally, `the panel 26 itself is secured on one face of the frame 24 bymeans of distancepieces 27 of a good sound and heat insulating material(for example plastic), these `distance-pieces being firstly secured byscrews 28 on the panel 26 and then by screws 29 on the outer face of theframe.

(4) A panel 3() consisting of a material having a high sound and thermalresistance which is disposed between the outer face of frame 24 and thepanel 26 consisting for example of pure expanded cork, polyvinyl foam,expanded polystyrene, vegetable or inorganic fibres agglomerated bymeans of a suitable polymerized binder, porous ceramic material, etc.

(5) A hollow section member 31 also made of a material having a low heatand sound conductivity, which is secured simply by gluing on the edgesof two adjacent frames. This section member carries a bar 32 Ialso ofheat and sound insulating material which is formed with a projectingrib, as shown. On either side of this bar is a flexible strip 33 actingas a sealing band and engaged to this end by the edges of the outerpanels 25.

If desired, the bar 32 may be dispensed with and in this case thesealing strip 33 bears directly on the section member 31, as theessential purpose yof the bar 32 is to permit a variation in thethickness of the insulating panel 30 while utilizing the same elementsfor making the member 31.

6) A panel 34 of adequate heat and sound insulating material, whichconsists actually of two half-panels lforce-fitted in the space betweenthe two flanges of the angle member constituting .the outer face of theframe; if necessary, these half-panels may be held in position by gluing`on the frame.

All the component elements described in paragraphs (l) to (6)hereinabove constitute a first, very efficient sound and heat barrier.

This efficiency is particularly noticeable in the case of the assemblydescribed hereinabove with reference to FIG. l, due to the combinationof rigid and flexible cellular elements secured without the assistanceof massive binders or fastening members on their supports.

(7) A panel 35 made of adequate heat and sound resisting material (forexample wood, plywood, fibrocement, miscellaneous agglomerates, etc.)secured by any suitable and conventional means (such as insulating ormetal bolts 37, metal eyelets, etc.) on the flanges of the inner face ofthe frame 24.

According to a modied form of embodiment, the isolation of the panel 35from the constant-temperature air circulating along the medial plane ofthe frames may be reinforced by providing a panel 36 similar tothe panel34 and also made of two halves like this panel.

(8) Another, inner panel 38 (preferably of moderate thickness)4consisting as desired of a heat and sound insulating or conductingmaterial, at will, its function consisting in forming the inner wall ofthe residential, commercial or industrial room (thus wood, plywood aswell as pressed vegetable or mineral fibres, ceramic, metal,cement-bound agglomerates, plastic, constitute adequate materials tothis end), this panel being adapted to receive any -desired decorationbefore or after its assembly.

This innermost panel may be secured for example with the assistance ofsplit male members 39 of adequate resiliency which tit with the minimumof clearance in distance-pieces 41B similar tothe distance-pieces 27described hereinabove, these male members being formed at their innerends with head members 41 fastened by preferably flathead screws `42,flush with the inner surface of the panel and adapted to be provided ornot with a decorative projecting element 43.

The first arrangement proposed hereinabove is particularly suitablewhen, for the sake of appearance, the inner panel 3S must have aprojection-free surface for example when it is contemplated to coverthis panel with decorative panels, or with glued fabric, paper, plasticsheets or the like.

The distance-pieces `4t) are secured on the panel 35 by bolts 44.

The inermost panel 38 may be removed by suction or by using anelectromagnetic tray as the head members 41 may consist of steel actingas pole pieces adapted to be attra-cted by the electromagnets of thepanel-removing tray placed in front thereof.

Finally, a flexible joint 45 of plastic or rubber, or a rigid joint ofwood, metal, plastic or other suitable material may be disposed betweenthe different panels 3S of adjacent blocks; if desired, this joint mayparticipate in the styling and `decoration of the room.

The space defined between the panels 35 and 38 is provided for thecustomary building equipment ducts and lines (for water, electric power,telephone, etc.) and also for lthe direct distrubution `of conditionedair without using auxiliary ductwork. As already explained hereinabovethe space formed between the panels 34 and 36 is used for circulatinginsulating air, that is, constant-temperature air.

The metal frames may be constructed on a commercial basis, for examplein a completely automatic manner, this method of manufacture beingapplicable to a great range of block dimensions thereby permitting theperforming of many varied architectural schemes.

These frames may be cast directly or formed from sheet material cut andbent, or also `from sections assembled by means of gussets or any otherconventional method.

Finally, these frames may be assembled to constitute the rigid frameworkof the blocks according to any suitable process, provided that theselected process does not lead to the use of massive elementsinterconnecting the two frames constituting the rigid structure of ablock, so that the blocks may be easily and rapidly assembled anddisassembled.

The above-described forms of embodiment are given by way yof example andshould not be construed as limiting the invention as many modificationsand alterations may he brought thereto with a view to assemble theelements forming part ofthe structure, without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

Cil

l. In a building structure having sound-absorbing and heat insulatedside walls above grade, a ceiling structure jointly with said side wallsdefining at least one room, and means supporting said walls, each ofsaid side walls comprising, an outer wall and an inner wall spaced fromeach other and a partition between said outer and inner walls spacedtherefrom and jointly therewith defining an inner and an outerpassageway, said inner wall terminating above said supporting means,said inner and outer passageways being without communication with eachother, said ceiling structure comprising an inner partition, an outerpartition spaced from said inner partition and another partition betweensaid inner and outer partitions jointly defining two passageways withoutcommunication with each other and each in communication with arespective one of said inner and outer passageways of each of said sidewalls, means to define an air inlet for each side wall outer passagewayat the lower end of its respective partition, means to deiine an airinlet [for each inner passageway at the lower end of the respectiveinner wall defining said inner passageway, means to supply air at asubstantially constant moderate temperature to each outer passageway ofeach side wall through its respective lastmentioned air inlet, saidouter partition of said ceiling structure having an `opening forallowing said air supplied to the outer passageways of the side walls toow out of said opening, means to exhaust said air supplied to said outerpassageways out of said opening, said ceiling inner partition havingopenings for allowing air 4to flow out of said inner passageways of theside walls into said room, heat transfer means to provide conditionedair under at least some pressure into said inner passageways through therespective air inlet at the lower end of the inner walls thereby toprovide conditioned air entering said room through said ceiling innerpartition openings, and means to at least selectively exhaust toatmosphere the air out of said room at a lower level out through aninner and outer wall of a side wall and the partition therebetween.

2. In a building structure according to claim l, in which said sidewalls comprise a plurality of building blocks, each building blockcomprising an assembly frame of prisrnatic configuration having sixrectangular faces, two of said faces comprising vertical faces oneinside the structure and the other facing outwardly of the structure,the other faces comprising two upst-anding end faces and two horizontalfaces, said assembly frame comprising angle sections rigidly secured toone another and disposed along the edges of said blocks, said frameangle sections having holes for receiving means therein for detachablyjoining next adjoining blocks yforming said side fwalls, said holes[being disposed for joining the blocks along their end and yhorizontalfaces, means on each -block for detachably mounting inner panels formingsaid inner wall of each side wall on said blocks in assembly, and foreach block an inner panel detachably mounted on the last-mentionedmeans.

3. In a building structure according to claim 2, in which each of saidbuilding blocks comprises an outer panel of heat insulating materialsecured parallel to said rectangular face facing outwardly of saidstructure, a second upstanding panel of heat insulating material mountedparallel to said outer heat insulating panel and spaced therefrom andmounted intermediate the `outer panel and said inner panel and spacedtherefrom, means on each block for fastening the outer panel thereofparallel to `and spaced from said outer facing, and said panels havingthe same peripheral dimensions of said vertical faces.

4. In a building structure according to claim 3, in which said fasteningmeans on each block comprises rigid, tubular distance pieces made of aheat insulating material mounted on said frame extending inwardly saiddistance pieces having a bore in alignment with some of said holes insaid frame angle sections, fasteners in said distance pieces fasteningsaid outer panel of heat insulating material on said frame assembly,said means for detachably mounting said inner panels comprising othertubular distance pieces on each block made of heat insulating m-ateriallonger in axial length than the Hfst-mentioned distance pieces and,fasteners ,on each block cooperative with said other `distance piecesfor detachably mounting a respective one of said inner panels.

5. In a building structure according to claim 4, in which each of saidbuilding blocks comprises a rst porous plate of heat and soundinsulating material disposed outwardly of said outer panel ofheat-insulating material and parallel thereto, and a second porous plateof heat insulating and sound absorbing material disposed parallel to andinwardly of said second panel of heat insulating 15 2,446,593

material.

6. In a building structure according to claim 5, in which each plate`comprises a third plate of heat insulating and sound absorbing material`disposed inwardly and parallel to said face facing outwardly of thestructure and `disposed substantially against said last-mentioned face.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,107,523 Coe Feb. 8, 1938 2,192,567 Waugh Mar. 5, 1940 2,210,960 St.Pierre Aug. 13, 1940 2,427,780 Haines Sept. 23, 1947 Jimopoulos Aug. 10,1948

